A capable and specialised advisor (in direct contrast to a salesman) will cover in some detail your abilities and experience. This is paramount to establishing the point at which you need to start your studies. An important point to note is that, if you've had any relevant qualifications that are related, then you will often be able to start at a different point than someone who is new to the field. If this is your opening crack at an IT exam then you may want to start out with some basic user skills first.

We'd hazard a guess that you've always enjoyed practical work - a 'hands-on' individual. Usually, the world of book-reading and classrooms is something you'll force on yourself if you absolutely have to, but you really wouldn't enjoy it. Check out video-based multimedia instruction if books just don't do it for you. Learning psychology studies show that long term memory is improved when we receive multi-sensorial input, and we take action to use what we've learned.

Interactive full motion video with demonstrations and practice sessions will turn you off book-based study for ever more. And they're a lot more fun to do. Always insist on a demonstration of the study materials from the school that you're considering. The materials should incorporate instructor videos, demonstrations, slide-shows and virtual practice lab's for your new skills.

Purely on-line training should be avoided. You want physical CD/DVD ROM course materials where available, enabling them to be used at your convenience - ISP quality varies, so you don't want to be totally reliant on your broadband being 'up' 100 percent of the time.

A sneaky way that training companies make a lot more is by adding exam fees upfront to the cost of a course then giving it 'Exam Guarantee' status. This looks like a great idea for the student, but is it really:

It's very clear we're still footing the bill for it - it's obviously already in the gross price invoiced by the training provider. It's definitely not free (although some people will believe anything the marketing companies think up these days!) The fact is that when students fund each progressive exam, one by one, they will be much more likely to get through on the first attempt - as they're aware of their payment and therefore will put more effort into their preparation.

Sit the exam somewhere local and find the best exam deal or offer available then. Paying in advance for examination fees (plus interest - if you're financing your study) is madness. It's not your job to boost the training company's account with extra money of yours only to please their Bank Manager! Some will be pinning their hopes on the fact that you won't get round to taking them - but they won't refund the cash. You should fully understand that re-takes via organisations who offer an 'Exam Guarantee' are always heavily controlled. You'll be required to sit pre-tests to make sure they think you're going to pass.

Prometric and VUE exams are currently clocking in at an average of 112 pounds in the United Kingdom today. Why pay exorbitant 'Exam Guarantee' costs (usually wrapped up in the course package price) - when good quality study materials, the proper support and study, commitment and preparing with good quality mock and practice exams is what will really guarantee success.

Your training program should always include the latest Microsoft (or Cisco, CompTIA etc.) authorised simulation materials and exam preparation packages. Confirm that the practice exams are not only asking questions on the right subjects, but additionally ask them in the same way that the proper exam will formulate them. It completely unsettles students if the questions are phrased in unfamiliar formats. You should make sure you check how much you know through quizzes and mock ups of exams before you take the actual exam.

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